Manalapan Township Committee Offers Thanksgiving Gratitude

A Thanksgiving Thank You from the Manalapan Township Committee:

The Mayor and Township Committee would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers and staff of Manalapan Township during the recent storm emergencies. Rick Hogan our Emergency Management Coordinator and his team worked tirelessly to ensure the residents of Manalapan were safe during the emergency. Dave Richardson, our Health Officer alongside Kim Silverstein and the dedicated volunteers of the Medical Reserve Corp-Community Emergency Response Team (MRC-CERT) ensured that the shelters were up and running for over two weeks and that the needs of the residents were met as soon as possible.

Dottie Porcaro and the volunteers that manned the Township emergency phones around the clock for their commitment to the public, that their questions would be answered and assistance would be provided. Chief Christopher Marsala, Captain Fountain, Captain Morrell and the Manalapan Police Department for their work to keep the residents of Manalapan Township safe during the storm. Alan Spector and Troy Davis and the employees of the Public Works Department whose work is still not done as the aftermath and clean up stretches into the next few months.  

Our local businesses and community groups also pitched in and were so helpful in our time of need. Dr. Marciante and the Manalapan-Englishtown Board of Education, who provided us with school space to use for shelter and busses and volunteer bus drivers; and Superintendent Sampson and the Board of Education of the Freehold Regional High School District; We are especially grateful to Manalapan Wegmans and their Manager Eric Friedland who provided food for our shelters, volunteers and those in need. We would also like to thank others that provided services and supplies during the emergency; Domino’s Pizza on Route 33, Dunkin Donuts on Gordons Corner Road, Edible Arrangements, Gus’s Diner, Hartigans Grille, Panera of Manalapan, Quick Check of Englishtown, Craig Campbell of Diversified Quality, Pantano Landscape and Nursery, Pine Brook Nursing Home, Rising Stars Dance Academy, Valero Gas on Route 9, Rabbi Chazanow of Chabad, Rabbi Panken of Temple Shaari Emeth; Samaritan Center, Jim Mastrokalos of United Water and our Manalapan sports organizations – Soccer Club, Baseball and Softball Association as well as the Youth Football Association and other students of all ages.  

We all did the best we could for our over 38,000 residents and we are cognizant that despite our efforts there will be some who may not think we did enough.

While experiencing the pitfalls of loss of power, computer servers and issues with cell phone service during this emergency we reached out to the residents through using reverse 911 emergency phone messages, and email blasts full of important information, prior to and after the storm, flyers and facebook updates. We would like to thank Tommy G and all of the hosts of 101.5 FM radio for allowing us on frequently to provide updates to our residents and to coordinate the dissemination of emergency information.

When a storm like nothing we have ever witnessed before hit Manalapan Township our team of professionals and volunteers worked to ensure that Manalapan’s residents were safe, secure and protected. In the days that followed the storm the assistance did not stop, calls were answered, shelters were open and help was provided. We are grateful and so appreciative of the dedication of those staff members and volunteers in Manalapan Township.  It truly is a Great Place to Live.

Our hearts go out to those communities who suffered devastating destruction and loss of life.  

Mayor Susan Cohen

Deputy Mayor Don Holland

Committeeman Andrew Lucas

Committeeman Ryan Green

Committeeman Jordan Maskowitz